There must have been mixed emotions at Hogwood Park this week when Reading FC team-mates Paul McShane and Chris Gunter returned to the training ground from their international commitments.

McShane will have been in “gutted” mode, an unused substitute as the Republic of Ireland crashed out of World Cup qualifying when losing 5-1 to Denmark in the second leg of their play-off qualifier at the Aviva Stadium.

And all that after Ireland’s excellent 0-0 draw in the first leg in Copenhagen – when McShane didn’t get off the bench, either - and after they had gone 1-0 up early on in Dublin.